In the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox liturgies, a chant with a prose text which precedes or follows a psalm. It is linked with the practice of antiphonal psalmody, in which verses were sung alternately by two groups of singers, or by soloist and choir. A collection of antiphons is known as an antiphoner.
An antiphon is a response, usually sung in Gregorian chant, to a psalm or some other part of a religious service, such as at Vespers or at a Mass.
The word is of Greek origin, αντί (opposite) + φωνη (voice).
A piece of music which is performed by two semi-independent choirs interacting with one another, often singing alternate musical phrases, is known as antiphonal. In particular, antiphonal psalmody is the singing or musical playing of psalms by alternating groups of performers. In the Latin Church it was not practised until more than two centuries later, when it was introduced by Ambrose, bishop of Milan, who compiled an antiphonary, or collection of works suitable for antiphonal singing (also known as an antiphonal).
The Indian concept sawal-jawab ("question" and "answer") can be considered antiphonal.
Antiphon can also be used outside of a strict musical or liturgical context to mean a more general response.
Polychoral Antiphony
When two or more groups of singers sing in alternation the style of music can also be called polychoral. Polychoral techniques are a definitive characteristic of the music of the Venetian school, exemplified by the works of Giovanni Gabrieli; The Venetian polychoral style was an important innovation of the late Renaissance, and this style, with its variations as it spread across Europe after 1600, helps to define the beginning of the Baroque era.
examples of antiphon in rock music:
"Miracles" , Jefferson Starship
"Mockingbird" , Carly Simon & James Taylor
"Black Water" , The Doobie Brothers
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